THE CEO of British International Airlines Group and former chief of British Airways and Aer Lingus has responded to Leo Varadkar’s warnings that British planes may not be able to fly over Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) warned that British planes may be unable to fly over Ireland in the event of a Brexit no-deal.

William Walsh, the CEO of International Airlines Group, which owns Aer Lingus and British Airways, responded to the warnings, adding that Brexit was “inevitable”.

Speaking on BBC’s Today programme, Mr Walsh was asked about the comments from Leo Varadkar. He replied: “It wasn’t from the Irish Government, it was a comment from the Irish Taoiseach in response to a question.

“I am not sure exactly what he meant but the idea that airspace will be closed for flights transiting a country, that is not going to happen, so I am not concerned.”